Hayter 13/30 not starting

[richhemmings]

Hi all,

Looking for some help.

I recently bought this Hayter 13/30 (Code 131S) and I saw it running before purchase, and ran it for 2 minutes after delivery... however 3 days later after storing it outside (warm weather, touch of rain under a tarp) - it wont start.
My fists suspicion was the battery -- but it had 12.3V and 10 when cranking. It has now died, but I have tried a good battery and this didn't help either -- I also applied volts directly to the starter to make sure no issues with the safety switches. Engine turns.
I checked for spark - all good there too.

Checked the airbox - all looked good initially, although wet after an hour of messing around (I think petrol is flooding the carb and then running back into the airbox).

The carb leaked fuel after a few attempts - from the seam between the float bowl and the carb body.
I took the carb off, cleaned it with carb spray and compressed air and put it all back together. Same results.
I noticed that the gasket is very tired which I suspect is cause for the leak and I am wondering if the routing of the gasket is preventing fuel from entering the main jet (see image and red circle).
The back of the butterfly valve in the carb was grubby with a light coat of something grey and sticky on the back (engine) side.
I should add that there was some dirt in the fuel tank which made it to the filter, I subsequently replaced it with the new one you see in the pics.

I noted that the fuel hose is rather long and the fuel has a large drop and then uphill climb to get back to the carb, so amended this in the pics to have a gentle downhill to the carb inlet -- I'm not sure if this is a factor due to previous running. Fresh fuel has been used.

When I checked the spark plug it wasn't burnt or wet. The gap is a little under 1.1mm which is within spec as far as I know after a quick google this morning (G3F plug).

I was able to get some backfire by spraying carb cleaner directly into the inlet manifold and the engine ran for about 15 seconds.
My suspicion is that no fuel is getting into the cylinder.

I've subsequently ordered a cheap kit from Amazon with replacement carb, filters and plug which I will try over the weekend and update - but wondered if anyone has any thoughts in the meantime.

Thanks for reading this protracted post and for your comments in advance.
Rich

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I've subsequently ordered a cheap kit from Amazon with replacement carb, filters and plug which I will try over the weekend and update - but wondered if anyone has any thoughts in the meantime.

Those things include lots of safety interlocks, to prevent them starting unless everything it right. Driver sensor on the seat, hand-brake on sensor, deck blade engaged.

 

[richhemmings]

Those things include lots of safety interlocks, to prevent them starting unless everything it right. Driver sensor on the seat, hand-brake on sensor, deck blade engaged.

Cheers for the reply Harry, I was of the understanding that if there's spark and the engine turns that all safety's are happy?
I know the seat one has been overridden, and I put the grassbox on. The machine is in park (neural) with the handbrake on ...and I triple read the manual for starting... just in case

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Cheers for the reply Harry, I was of the understanding that if there's spark and the engine turns that all safety's are happy?
I know the seat one has been overridden, and I put the grassbox on. The machine is in park (neural) with the handbrake on ...and I triple read the manual for starting... just in case

The spark would suggest all the safeties are happy, yes.

 

[Burnerman]

If the engine will spin it's ready to go .
Try taking the plug out and spinning the engine over ( is the plug wet?) and trying again using full choke. Ensure the choke butterfly closes fully!
John

 

[jj4091]

Is the fuel gravity fed from the tank to the filter. I would have thought there should be more fuel in that filter than there appears to be. Perhaps either float in the carb is sticking and not allowing anything to flow or the hose from the tank to the filter is obstructed.

 

[richhemmings]

Is the fuel gravity fed from the tank to the filter. I would have thought there should be more fuel in that filter than there appears to be. Perhaps either float in the carb is sticking and not allowing anything to flow or the hose from the tank to the filter is obstructed.

I wondered the same. Google says the engine is gravity fed, but the configuration of the pipe suggests not... there's also a lot of suction form the carb and the fact that fuel is leaking out of the carb body makes me think its not a supply issue.
I didn't check the float when I had the carb apart.

If the engine will spin it's ready to go .
Try taking the plug out and spinning the engine over ( is the plug wet?) and trying again using full choke. Ensure the choke butterfly closes fully!
John

Plug was dry! Tried full choke and half choke, per the operation manual. No joy.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I wondered the same. Google says the engine is gravity fed, but the configuration of the pipe suggests not... there's also a lot of suction form the carb and the fact that fuel is leaking out of the carb body makes me think its not a supply issue.
I didn't check the float when I had the carb apart.

Obviously not your problem, if the carb is flooding, but many of these machines, include a solenoid operated fuel valve, to shut the fuel off. Others, use a fuel tap.

 

[richhemmings]

I put a new carb on which resolved the leaking from the body, but didn't solve the starting issue. Redid the fuel lines for good measure to get a better line into the carb.
I hooked it up to my car which (begrudgingly) started the engine after a few shots of carb spray into the intake - I noticed so old fuel fouling the intake which I cleaned up too.
Put the new battery back on, but weak to turn over - 12v unloaded, but only 7/8 when cranking.
Brand new 896 32A, 310A (EN) battery from Tayna in, and starts as it should now.

Thanks for all the replies!